Column: Proud To Embrace Caribbean Heritage

June 17, 2018

[Opinion column written by MP Chris Famous]

They don’t want to see us unite: All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting. They don’t want to see us live together” – Bob Marley

For centuries Bermudians have been conditioned to think of those from other islands as less than them

  • We were conditioned to not unite with our very own flesh and blood in the Caribbean
  • We were conditioned to fuss and fight against those who we shared DNA with
  • We were conditioned to hate who we truly are

Thankfully, through the works of many such as Mr. Choy Aming, John C. Evans, Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Mrs Shurnette Caines, Mrs. Hazel Christopher , The West Indian Association and the Jamaican Association of Bermuda,over the last 40 years that has changed for the better.

  • We now travel on Cruises to the Caribbean on a daily basis
  • We now listen primarily to reggae
  • We now embrace Soca
  • West Indian food is a staple part of our daily diet
  • Heck, we now eat Jerk Chicken in the House of Parliament

Jerk Chicker

Heroes Weekend

  • This weekend we will celebrate Carnival
  • This weekend we will listen to tons of Reggae and Soca
  • This weekend we will put on all white and dance to the sound of Machal Montano

Indeed, it is a beautiful thing to see that this generation of Bermudians:

  • Are no longer afraid to unite
  • Are no longer listening to the scaremongering
  • Are no longer ashamed of who they truly are

Indeed, they are proud to embrace their true Caribbean Heritage.

We refuse to be, What you wanted us to be; We are what we are, That’s the way [way] it’s going to be” – Bob Marley

Thank you to Mr. Jason Sukdeo aka D’General and his entire Bermuda Heroes Weekend [BHW] crew for their vision and hard work.

- Chris Famous, a PLP MP, can be contacted via email at Carib_pro@yahoo.com, Twitter at @ryderz777 or via Whatsapp on 599-0901

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Comments (13)

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  1. Onion Puke says:

    Yawn!!

  2. Toodle-oo says:

    People here wouldn’t be so xenophobic if they just realized that all of our roots come from somewhere else .
    I recently had a wonderful neighbor who came from ‘down south’ and was here because of IB
    On two different occasions I was next in line behind her at two different shop checkouts.
    In both instances the cashiers (who looked like her) greeted her in an almost exaggeratedly phony friendly manner but as soon as she responded back in her incredible accent they literally frowned and looked away . The change in their demeanor was just nasty and I was ashamed for her. And she says it happens regularly .
    Sure , celebrate your island roots , just don’t get nasty when other people recognize theirs from a different place.

  3. Question says:

    Many people in the PLP have caribbean parents, who came here as expats and got status. It’s part of their heritage, not ours.
    Carnival weekend has been going on for 3 years. It’s hardly part of our heritage.

    • PBanks says:

      “their” and “ours”,… once again we are promoting division and separation. This is becoming no different than Bermuda Day or Cup Match, sad to say, and lending further credence to Mr. Famous’s article.

  4. Where U Beem? says:

    Soca and Reggae have always been enjoyed. There has never has been a fear of enjoying it and our culture.

    Carnival was brought to T&T by the French. So unfortunately we can’t claim that one.

  5. what is this about? says:

    You are essentially saying fight racism with more racism?
    If I am not interested in soca, then I am racist, even if I am originally from the Caribbean and “black”?

    Instead of making this “column” an actual column, about being proud of your heritage, it is a thinly veiled attack on people that don’t look like you, or like the things you like.

    Consider how it was a missed opportunity to help bring people in Bermuda together. I have nothing against you, and pray that you will see past the pain of past hate against you and learn to refuse to hate others. I have been marginalized because of who I am too- but I rely on God to keep me from falling into reciprocal hate. One thing you forget to mention in your lists is that you have been taught to hate people who aren’t like you!

    I truly hope you enjoy your weekend doing what you like!

  6. Really says:

    Speak for yourself Famous. You are only interested in people that look like you anyway. Sorry but others live on this island as well. We are intimidated by you or Burch. You both do not deserve to me a member of parliament.

  7. Really says:

    If you like the Caribbean so much and there way of life then go live there. You cannot live there and spew the nastiness that you do here. PLP are for all people your so right I have yet to see it. You & Burch would love to have this island full of just one type. Be careful of what you wish for………

  8. Conspiracytheory says:

    Say what?

  9. Rocky5 says:

    Love to hear Mr. Famous on celebrating our British heritage ??!!!

    • Rockfish#1 says:

      Chris,
      These types of articles are becoming boring and predictable!
      How about commenting on more relevant matters like:
      1. The speeches made in the HOA by Caines and Burch regarding the incoming and outgoing Chief Justices?
      2.The stance taken by Burch re the wall at Somerset Cricket Club.
      You had no problem expressing your views on controversial matters when canvassing?
      What happened?

  10. inna says:

    How the hell did he convince voters to put that X next to his name?!?!

  11. steve says:

    A year ago Bob Richards was pouring over economic strategies in an effort to save us from ourselves. Now his replacement is rolling out his tired conspiracy theory and celebrating. This is what the voter wants so lets see where it goes i guess..